Classic Chicago Magazine

About Classic Chicago

The city’s premier Sunday magazine

Classic Chicago Magazine is a weekly digital publication celebrating the people, places, culture, and style that make Chicago one of the world’s great cities. Published every Sunday, each edition brings together original writing, photography, and reporting from voices who know and love this city.

Our Mission

We believe Chicago deserves a magazine that reflects its depth — its world-class dining, its storied neighborhoods, its vibrant arts scene, and the remarkable people who call it home. Classic Chicago tells the stories that matter to those who care deeply about this city, past and present.

What We Cover

From the best restaurants on Halsted Street to hidden gardens in Wicker Park, from galas on the Gold Coast to boba tea in Chinatown — our writers explore every corner of Chicago life. Regular features include dining guides, social coverage, neighborhood profiles, travel writing, and cultural commentary.

Our Team

Judy Carmack Bross

Editor-in-Chief & Founder

A veteran Chicago journalist covering dining, social events, and the people who shape the city’s cultural life. She is the author of Murray Bay: The Gilded Age Resort of Tafts, Sedgwicks, Blakes, Minturns, and Their Friends and co-author of Charlevoix: A Tradition of Hospitality.

Judy Carmack Bross’s Articles
Lincoln Park: History Hiding in Plain Sight Lincoln Park: History Hiding in Plain Sight February 8, 2026 Alicia Ziegler: The Artful Concierge Alicia Ziegler: The Artful Concierge February 15, 2026 Children's Research Fund Children's Ball Children's Research Fund Children's Ball February 15, 2026 Bag Charms: Humor and Play in a Serious World Bag Charms: Humor and Play in a Serious World February 22, 2026 IWA's Women Extraordinaire IWA's Women Extraordinaire February 22, 2026 Chicago's Vanguard: Inside the 92nd Arts Club Members Show Chicago's Vanguard: Inside the 92nd Arts Club Members Show March 1, 2026 Taffy and Pretty Girl Celebrate Anti-Cruelty's 127th Birthday Taffy and Pretty Girl Celebrate Anti-Cruelty's 127th Birthday March 15, 2026 Even an 11th Hour Site Change Didn't Stop the ICA Even an 11th Hour Site Change Didn't Stop the ICA March 15, 2026 Jessie Mueller: Evanston Tony Winner Sings For Season of Concern Jessie Mueller: Evanston Tony Winner Sings For Season of Concern March 22, 2026 Building Blocks: A Legacy to a Chicago Icon Building Blocks: A Legacy to a Chicago Icon March 22, 2026 Tiffany at the Driehaus Museum Tiffany at the Driehaus Museum: Chicago Can’t Get Enough March 29, 2026 Landmarks Illinois Delivers at The Old Post Office Landmarks Illinois Delivers at The Old Post Office March 29, 2026 Lyric Opera: Madama Butterfly and Virtual Reality Lyric Opera: Madama Butterfly and Virtual Reality April 5, 2026 Concentration: A Poet's Imagined Voice Now a Powerful Play Concentration: A Poet’s Imagined Voice Now a Powerful Play April 5, 2026 IWA Women Extraordinaire Awards Luncheon IWA Women Extraordinaire Awards Luncheon April 5, 2026 Joyspan: How to Thrive in Life's Second Half Joyspan: How to Thrive in Life’s Second Half April 12, 2026 Coming to the Alliance Française — Scent: The Invisible Art Coming to the Alliance Française — Scent: The Invisible Art April 12, 2026 Leaving Your Mark on the World: Astrid Greve-Spencer Teaches Leaders How to Do It Leaving Your Mark on the World: Astrid Greve-Spencer Teaches Leaders How to Do It April 19, 2026 BandWith: A New Musical Home in East Garfield Park BandWith: A New Musical Home in East Garfield Park April 19, 2026 Speakeasy Celebration: A Winning Gala for the Junior League Speakeasy Celebration: A Winning Gala for the Junior League April 19, 2026 Brit Marling: A Film Force Brit Marling: A Film Force April 26, 2026 Doris Kearns Goodwin Keynotes the Rush Spring Luncheon Doris Kearns Goodwin Keynotes the Rush Spring Luncheon April 26, 2026 Celebrating Twenty Years of Preservation Stewardship Celebrating Twenty Years of Preservation Stewardship April 26, 2026 The Promise of Liberty The Promise of Liberty: Peoria’s Gift to the 250th Celebration May 17, 2026 A Celebration of Liberty A Celebration of Liberty: The Guild of the Chicago History Museum May 17, 2026 Murder at the Opera Murder at the Opera: The Chicago Opera Theater Asks Who Did It? May 17, 2026 Twirl Around the Whirl: Brookfield Zoo Gala Twirl Around the Whirl: Brookfield Zoo Gala Raises $2 Million May 24, 2026 Merit Gala: Showcasing Student Success Merit Gala: Showcasing Student Success May 24, 2026 Graduation Dos and Don'ts Graduation Dos and Don’ts: Lessons Learned for Parents and Grandparents May 24, 2026 Simply Sensational: The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation Luncheon Simply Sensational: The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation Luncheon June 7, 2026 Putting the Ritz in Biarritz: The Alliance Française de Chicago's Biannual Gala Putting the Ritz in Biarritz: The Alliance Française de Chicago’s Biannual Gala June 7, 2026 Robin Loewenberg Tebbe: Minds Matter Robin Loewenberg Tebbe: Minds Matter June 7, 2026 St. Thomas the Apostle Church: An Urban Garden and Community Oasis St. Thomas the Apostle Church: An Urban Garden and Community Oasis June 7, 2026 The Music Institute Honors Chicago Legends The Music Institute Honors Chicago Legends May 3, 2026 Family Sundays at FACETS: A No Shhh-Zone Family Sundays at FACETS: A No Shhh-Zone May 3, 2026 A Sesquicentennial Gala and a Bold Future Vision A Sesquicentennial Gala and a Bold Future Vision May 3, 2026 A Bonded Pair: Friends Who Want to Share a Home Together A Bonded Pair: Friends Who Want to Share a Home Together May 10, 2026 Life Is an Art at Intuit Art Museum Life Is an Art at Intuit Art Museum May 10, 2026 Persephone: A Muse in Chicago Persephone: A Muse in Chicago May 31, 2026 Pitching George Washington’s Tent: Celebrate America 250 at the Newberry Pitching George Washington’s Tent: Celebrate America 250 at the Newberry May 31, 2026 A Closet Looking for a Home A Closet Looking for a Home May 31, 2026 Americana at Auction: Telling the Liberty Story Americana at Auction: Telling the Liberty Story June 14, 2026 Music Institute of Chicago: Exceeding Your Goals at 95 Music Institute of Chicago: Exceeding Your Goals at 95 June 14, 2026 Look Who Pitched George Washington’s Tent Look Who Pitched George Washington’s Tent June 14, 2026 From One Landmark to Another: Frances Glessner’s Gala From One Landmark to Another: Frances Glessner’s Gala June 21, 2026 Doris Kearns Goodwin: History Highlights at the Rush Luncheon Doris Kearns Goodwin: History Highlights at the Rush Luncheon June 21, 2026 Come to Lincoln Park to Celebrate July 4 Come to Lincoln Park to Celebrate July 4 June 28, 2026 Linda Miller: A Landmark’s Archangel Linda Miller: A Landmark’s Archangel June 28, 2026 Man Overboard: Stay on Shore While Reading Advised Man Overboard: Stay on Shore While Reading Advised July 5, 2026 Calypso and the Cabana Club: A SoiréeSensation Calypso and the Cabana Club: A SoiréeSensation July 5, 2026 Spark! Raises $5 Million for the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Spark! Raises $5 Million for the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab July 5, 2026 Making History Awards: Chicago’s Version of the Oscars Making History Awards: Chicago’s Version of the Oscars July 12, 2026 Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer: Spectacular Scenery and Superb Service Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer: Spectacular Scenery and Superb Service July 12, 2026 Banff: Marveling at Nature’s Majesty Banff: Marveling at Nature’s Majesty July 19, 2026 Francee Harrington: A Family Focus Dream Builder Recipient Francee Harrington: A Family Focus Dream Builder Recipient July 19, 2026 The John Nichols Collection: 4000 Years of Chinese Tomb Pottery at the Golden Triangle The John Nichols Collection: 4000 Years of Chinese Tomb Pottery at the Golden Triangle July 19, 2026 Boys & Girls Club Boys & Girls Club July 26, 2026 Heritage Auction: Lincoln’s Office Heritage Auction: Lincoln’s Office July 26, 2026 Dinner on the Bluff and Pro Am Golf Raise $2.4M for Lurie Dinner on the Bluff and Pro Am Golf Raise $2.4M for Lurie August 2, 2026

Megan McKinney

Publisher & Founder

A noted social historian, she is the author of The Magnificent Medills.

John Bartlett

Managing Editor

John Bartlett is the Managing Editor and developer of Classic Chicago Magazine. A software engineer with more than forty years of experience, he built the magazine from the ground up, turning the words and photographs our contributors send each week into the Sunday Edition you read. He can be reached at john@classicchicagomag.com.

John Bartlett’s Articles
Don’t Lose That Joy Don’t Lose That Joy July 26, 2026

Sigalit Zetouni

Arts Editor

Sigalit Zetouni is Arts Editor of Classic Chicago Magazine and a Chicago-based arts and culture writer whose work explores the people, ideas, and creative forces shaping the city and the wider world. Her writing takes readers inside the world’s great museums and galleries, illuminating not just what is on the walls but why it matters and why Chicago belongs in that conversation.

Our Writers This Week

David A. F. Sweet

Author & Historian

David A. F. Sweet is the author of Three Seconds in Munich: The Controversial 1972 Olympic Basketball Final, Lamar Hunt: The Gentle Giant Who Revolutionized Professional Sports, Onwentsia at 125, and Elawa Farm: A Timeless Treasure. Reach him at dafsweet@aol.com.

Philip Vidal

Each month Philip Vidal curates Chicago events from hundreds of ideas he receives to create About the Town which presents a wide variety of cultural, musical, theatric, philanthropic events and more which are tailored to the wide interests of our readers. A monthly contributor since Classic Chicago was founded almost 11 years ago, Vidal’s picks have made his a most popular column.

Katherine Harvey

Travel Writer

Katherine Harvey is a travel writer whose work takes readers from Chicago to the far corners of Europe and beyond.

Sydney Armstrong

Contributing Writer

A graduate of Smith College, Sydney Armstrong loves covering cultural activities for Classic Chicago and is very active at St. Chrysostom’s Church. Past articles include a variety of experiences in Ukrainian Village.

Adrian Naves

Contributing Writer

Adrian Naves is a former Classic Chicago intern and a versatile writer and editor whose work spans culture, history, and Chicago life.

More Contributors

Darcy L. Evon

Guest Contributor

Darcy L. Evon writes for Classic Chicago Magazine on the city’s cultural and philanthropic life, including the Guild of the Chicago History Museum.

Bob Glaze

Weekend Road Trips

One of our first contributors, Bob Glaze’s monthly Weekend Road Trips columns were a saving grace to readers during COVID who yearned for short driving trips where they learned about neighborhoods and towns nearby. Whether it’s trips now to San Miguel de Allende, the Jersey Shore, or great Chicago neighborhoods, Bob shares history, great dining and shops to visit. His worldwide recommendations can be found at globalphile.com.

Francesco Bianchini

Travel & Food Writer

Born in Rome and raised in Umbria, Francesco Bianchini teaches French language and culture at the University of Perugia and writes from between Italy and France. His work explores memory, place, food, travel, and the quiet rituals that shape a life.

Jill Lowe

Facts and Froth

Under the banner of Facts and Froth, Jill Lowe writes about the quirky and the curious aspects of the ordinary and familiar parts of our every day life.

Cheryl Anderson

Arts Writer

Cheryl Anderson writes about art, culture, and the beauty found in everyday Chicago life.

Elizabeth Dunlop Richter

Travel & Culture

With a background in television, radio, and theater, Elizabeth Dunlop Richter explores issues, people, and places that she hopes sparks as much interest in her readers as they do in her.

Susan Aurinko

Style & Art Writer

Monthly author of “My Silk Roads”, Susan Aurinko is a photographic artist and independent curator who also enjoys writing and reviewing. Enjoy her website at lensflairenditions.com.

Biba Roesch

Travel & Lifestyle Writer

Biba Roesch who writes monthly about her favorite things, has been a Chicago favorite to so many. A leader in the concierge field and a member of cultural boards such as Facets, her knowledge of Chicago and Palm Springs people and places is legendary.

Deedee El Bego

Contributing Writer

Deedee El Bego graduates this month from the Medill School of Journalism where she has specialized in broadcast and video communications. A former Classic Chicago intern while a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, she will be taking us to events in Chicago and Naperville all summer.

Jackson LeJeune

Contributing Writer

A graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago and a former intern with our magazine, Jackson LeJeune has a deep interest in film, music and popular culture and writes about these topics.

Marcy Carmack

Fashion Trends

Marcy Carmack writes Classic Chicago Magazine’s Fashion Trends column, bringing readers inside Chicago’s style scene with an eye for designers, events, and the people who shape how the city dresses.

Lee Hamilton

Music

Lee Hamilton covers Chicago’s classical music scene with depth and authority.

Sophie Bross

Theatre Review

Sophie Bross reviews theatre for Classic Chicago, bringing a keen eye to the city’s vibrant performing arts scene.

Soumiya Erragragui

Arts & Culture Writer

Soumiya Erragragui is an arts and culture writer covering theatre, film, and the creative forces shaping Chicago and the wider world.

Susan Benjamin

Architectural Historian & Author

Author and preservationist Susan Benjamin heads Benjamin Historic Certifications and is a leading Chicago architectural historian. Her most recent book is Modern in the Middle: Chicago Houses from 1929–75.

Soma Roy

Contributing Writer

An electrical engineer with a voracious appetite for beauty, Soma Roy is the founder of the educational not-for-profit organization, The Nourishment Projects NFP. Her birthplace, Kolkata — a cosmopolitan, cultural center with a vibrant intellectual life — echoes the magnetism of her beloved adopted hometown, Chicago.

Kristin N. Smith

Contributing Writer

Kristin N. Smith is the Executive Director of the American Friends of Versailles who worked closely with founder Catharine Hamilton and for many years their dazzling projects promoted arts, culture and philanthropy on both sides of the Atlantic. She continues to build this bond between America and France, creating opportunities to bring people together to meet important goals with much joie de vivre.

Ethan Cotton

Contributing Photographer

An accomplished photographer whose photos of summers in Maine and sojourns in France have captured our readership, Ethan Cotton combines creativity, drama and whimsy in his work. A graphic design with long time experience at the late, great Sir Speedy on Clybourn Street, he has created iconic work for many years.

Jean Colonomos

Poet & Playwright

Poet, playwright, and former Martha Graham dancer, Jean Colonomos also wrote dance journalism for The Village Voice, The New York Dance Calendar and Dance Magazine. She received a Citation from the City of Los Angeles for her play Black Dawn about Cambodian women who suffered under Pol Pot’s genocide. As a poet she was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

John Makowski

Guest Contributor — Classics & Cinema

John Makowski is Associate Professor Emeritus at Loyola University Chicago, where his scholarship focused on Roman literature, Latin language, myth, and the classical world in cinema. A graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep and Princeton University, he has taught classical literature, Greek, and Latin for decades and has traveled extensively to the ancient sites of the Mediterranean world.

Contact

Have a story idea, want to contribute, or just want to say hello? We'd love to hear from you. Reach us at editor@classicchicagomagazine.com.

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